Event Summary

On February 6, Chris Karpowitz and Jeremy Pope of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy presented research findings from the 10th annual American Family Survey. Dr. Karpowitz examined how families across the political spectrum behave in similar manners. Whether Democrat or Republican, parents take pride in raising children. The survey also found no partisan differences in the kinds of activities families engage in. Dr. Pope presented data on the difficulty of forming stable majority coalitions that promote families. According to their findings, Democrats need to support marriage, while the right needs to back spending policies supporting kids.

Then, AEI’s Daniel A. Cox queried a panel consisting of the University of Maryland’s Melissa S. Kearney, Galena Rhoades of the Family Research Center, and AEI’s Brad Wilcox. Dr. Wilcox discussed the importance of growing government support for middle-class parents and families. Dr. Kearney discussed the need to broaden outreach to low-income and low-education parents who are unaware of the benefits of marriage. Dr. Rhoades shared how low-income and low-education parents, mothers in particular, express the desire to eventually marry. The panel was followed by questions from the audience, covering topics including the efficacy of cash welfare programs in supporting parents and the concept of “unmarriageable” men versus women.

—Jae Grace

Event Description

The past decade has significantly affected Americans’ economic well-being, but they remain optimistic about the strength of their marriages and families. The 10th annual American Family Survey documents striking similarities in Republicans and Democrats’ day-to-day family lives, but it finds significant partisan differences in their ideas about the role of marriage and support for government programs designed to aid families.

Join AEI’s Survey Center on American Life for a discussion of this latest survey from Brigham Young University’s Wheatley Institute and Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy and the Deseret News. The survey creators will examine each party’s biases and propose a broad-based coalition to support families. They will also explore attitudes on policy approaches regarding social media, abortion, and gender issues, and a panel discussion will examine implications for future policies that affect families.

Event Materials

Chris Karpowitz and Jeremy Pope: The 10th Annual American Family Survey: Opportunities and Obstacles to a Broad-Based Political Coalition for Families

Agenda

12:45 p.m.
Registration Opens

1:00 p.m.
Opening Remarks:
Daniel A. Cox, Director, Survey Center on American Life, American Enterprise Institute

1:05 p.m.
Introductory Remarks:
Paul S. Edwards, Director, Wheatley Institute, Brigham Young University

1:10 p.m.
Survey Results Presentation

Presenter:
Chris Karpowitz, Codirector, Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, Brigham Young University
Jeremy Pope, Codirector, Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, Brigham Young University

1:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Melissa S. Kearney, Neil Moskowitz Professor of Economics, University of Maryland
Galena Rhoades, Director, Family Research Center, University of Denver
Brad Wilcox, Nonresident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Moderator:
Daniel A. Cox, Director, Survey Center on American Life, American Enterprise Institute

2:10 p.m.
Q&A

2:30 p.m.
Adjournment